THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - A GREAT SUPPLIER

TEXT: Philippians 4: 10-23 (CSB) – “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship. And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings. All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

 

 

What a book!  What a living testimony – from a man who learned how to be content. This is real “Rubber meets the Road” Christianity What a grand way to end this letter of thanksgiving. The Philippians had met Paul’s need out of their poverty – Paul reminds them that God will meet their need out of His riches in Jesus Christ.

 

Let’s think about this verse and some GREAT things found in it.

 

The first thing we discovered was a GREAT NEED. Paul then made us aware of a GREAT HELPER. Today, we will see about the GREAT SUPPLIER.

 

A great need, a great helper, and now a great supplier. Paul is talking about a total supply for the total need. He uses a Greek word – PLEROO – which means to make replete, to cram full.

 

Get that? Not just a little bit…

 

This word pictures something that is  “packed in.” Full to the brim. Over the top. No standing room. No vacancy. N…. Well, I hope you get the picture. Our English often loses the full intent of the Koinia Greek word that is in the original language. Supply pales in the picture of an overflowing, continuous, packed down, pressed in amount that God has. This same word is used in Eph. 5:18 – “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”

 

Paul is instructing the Philippian believers (and us) about the fact that God’s supplies are infinite, abundant, inexhaustible, limitless, and boundless. I know I am being very repetitive – I just want you to see the big picture of what God can do. There is absolutely no one who is a bigger supplier than God.

 

Today, contemplate what God is able to do. I love Ephesians 3:20 where Paul instructs them that we serve a God that he refers to as “…him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think….” Get that? Not only beyond what we can ask – but beyond what we can think. God is bigger than our wildest imaginations. Think about how strong God is – He is beyond that. Think about how much He can provide – He is beyond that. Thinks how big He is – He is beyond that.

 

Do you have any true need that God cannot meet? Talk to Him about it today.

 

Tomorrow, we will see THE GREAT RESOURCES.

 

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - A GREAT HELPER

TEXT: Philippians 4: 10-23 (CSB) – “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship. And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings. All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

 

 

What a book!  What a living testimony – from a man who learned how to be content. This is real “Rubber meets the Road” Christianity What a grand way to end this letter of thanksgiving. The Philippians had met Paul’s need out of their poverty – Paul reminds them that God will meet their need out of His riches in Jesus Christ.

 

Let’s think about this verse and some GREAT things found in it.

 

The first thing we discovered was a GREAT NEED. Paul then makes us aware of a GREAT HELPER.

 

Paul knows his means are limited. In fact, every one of us is limited in our ability to help others.

 

Often I ache – not being able to help more. I am compassionate about those around me in need, but, my supplies are limited. I can only do so much.

 

Paul reminds us that he knows a great helper. He says, “MY God will meet all your need.”

 

Doesn’t say might do it

 

Doesn’t say the He can do it

 

He says that He WILL do it

 

Paul has faith and trust in his God!

 

Contentment grows when we know – when we know like Paul – that God will meet our need.

 

So, how about it? As you ponder today over this part of the passage – do you know that God will meet your need? I mean really know. I mean really, really, really know. Are you living as if you know? Remember that God is the GREAT HELPER, who will be able to supply our need.

 

The third GREAT will be found tomorrow – a GREAT SUPPLIER.

 

 

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - A GREAT NEED

TEXT: Philippians 4: 10-23 (CSB) – “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship. And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings. All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

 

 

What a book!  What a living testimony – from a man who learned how to be content. This is real “Rubber meets the Road” Christianity

How to have Joy and Hope in the midst of adverse circumstances. We have looked at

·      Philosophy of Christian living – “To Live Christ”

·      Pattern of Christian living – “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus”

·      Prize of Christian living – “The prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”

·      Power of Christian living – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer…”

·      Peace of Christian living – “Being content in any and every situation”

·      Possibility of Christian living – “I Can Through Christ.”

·      Provision of Christian living – “My God will meet all your needs”

 

What a grand way to end this letter of thanksgiving. The Philippians had met Paul’s need out of their poverty – Paul reminds them that God will meet their need out of His riches in Jesus Christ.

 

We are familiar with the lovely Psalm – Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…” voices the Psalmist contentment. But, he goes on to speak of all the blessings that God is providing for him.

 

Paul does the same here.  Verse 11 –“ For I have learned to be content” – verse 13 –“I Can Through Christ” – verse 19 – “God will meet all your need” The contentment comes from knowing Him – and knowing who He is.

 

Let’s think about this verse and some GREAT things found in it.

 

The first thing we will discover is a GREAT NEED.

God is promising to meet all of their need in this verse. Understand though this is not wants, wishes, or whims. The need he is speaking about is the same things that Jesus spoke about in the Sermon the Mount. And we can notice in this realm – God does say ALL.  Dictionary says ALL means the whole, the entirety, everything.

 

Human beings have needs. Every one of us has needs – physical, mental, social, and economic. We all also have eternal and spiritual needs. There isn’t a part of us that isn’t at some time in need of something.

 

Oh, we may put up a front. But, when our heads hit the pillow in our darkened rooms – the needs flow forth.

 

God Realizes That men have needs – in fact – he made us that way.  When we come to Him with a need, He’s not surprised. He designed for us to have needs so that we will come to Him.

 

So, the first thing we notice in this passage is A Great Need.

 

Have you stopped to consider your need? (Not your wants). Today, muse over the greatest need that you have and consider if God is able to meet that need.

 

Tomorrow we will consider a GREAT HELPER.

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - ICTC

TEXT: Philippians 4: 10-23 (CSB) – “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship. And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings. All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

 

Yesterday we left off with the question of how do we acquire contentment?

 

We can use the life of  Paul to discover how it was that Paul could be content? Remember his circumstances? Let’s notice four words found in verse 11 above.

 

Paul states, “…for I have learned…”

 

This contentment was not natural. This was not a miracle that happened in his life. This is something that Paul learned – through the events and circumstances in his life.

 

The ups and downs of his life were smoothed out as he learned to respond – rather than react – to them. I want to share the Phillips Translation of verse 12 – “I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular, I have learned the secret of eating well or going hungry – or facing either plenty or poverty.”

 

In The New Living Translation,  we read “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”

 

Also, consider how The Amplified Bible translates this verse, “I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.”

 

Notice Paul says that he has learned the secret – and he is going to share it with us. Here is the secret.  Are you ready?  Do you want contentment in your life?  Do you want the secret of facing any and all circumstances in your life?

 

Paul in verse 11 says he has learned to get along happily with little or much, verse 12 – he has learned the secret of contentment, and he freely shares it in verse 13 - 

 

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

 

That’s it.  “I Can Through Christ.”  Repeat that with me.  Again, again, and again. I taught Middle School Bible students to call this the “ICTC.” Next time you feel that you can’t do what God is calling you to do, that you can’t have contentment – just say “ICTC!”

 

So – how do we get contentment?  “I Can thru Christ”  How do we learn to accept the good and the bad in our life? “I Can thru Christ.”  How do we have peace and joy and hope in the midst of adverse circumstances?  “I Can thru Christ.”

 

Does this passage teach us that we can do anything we put our minds too?  No, the strength, power, and ability is through Christ – but this is in the context of the will of Christ in your life

 

Consider this illustration-

The Santa Fe Railroad had an engine called the Super Chief. It ran from Los Angeles to Chicago. Imagine the train saying  – “I am the Super Chief – I can do all things that I want to do.  I go through the highest pass a train can travel, I am a mighty train.

 

For years people got off at Williams, Arizona to see the Grand Canyon. Suppose the Super Chief decides one day to go look at it himself – so he jumps the track to go look.  Will it succeed? One day the train did jump the tracks on the Grand Canyon side – but it was a total wreck.

 

You see, while it was on the tracks, it was the mighty Super Chief, but when it left the tracks – it became a hopeless mess of twisted metal.

 

We do the things that God has in store for us – or we become like the Super Chief.

 

The main thrust of this book is that we can have peace, joy, and hope in our adverse circumstances. 

 

Paul said he learned it was possible – and the secret is – “I Can Through Christ.”

 

As we continue to learn from the great Apostle Paul, tomorrow we will continue to learn about our contentment in Christ.

 

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - CONTENTMENT

TEXT: Philippians 4: 10-23 (CSB) – “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship. And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings. All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

 

The greatest achievements of mankind have been accomplished by two types of men – those who were smart enough to know it could be done, and those too dumb to know it couldn’t.

 

Take for example Charles F. Kettering, a noted scientist, and inventor. He gave a tough assignment to a research worker at G.M. just to see how he would react to a difficult problem. Kettering forbade him from using the notes in the files – notes written by the experts with the statistics on why it couldn’t be done. The young man struggled and struggled with this tough problem – he wasn’t aware that it could be accomplished. Unfortunately – because he didn’t know it couldn’t be done – he succeeded and did it. This caused Kettering to say that if we want to overcome defeat we must ignore the possibility of failure.

 

There are 3 kinds of people in the world.  The “will’s,” the “won’ts,” and the “can’ts.” 

The first accomplish everything. 

The second oppose everything.

And, the third fail in everything.

 

So – in dealing with this passage consider who are you?  A will, won’t, or can’t?

 

Man desires the peace that God so freely wants to offer.  Why don’t we have it? In this passage, we came in with worry, left with peace, by prayer (verses 6,7). Peace is guarding our thoughts and emotions by thinking about Jesus (verses 8,9).  Yet I hear some of you say – “But it doesn’t stay long.”  Or, “I don’t have it yet.”

 

How do I acquire this peace?  By contentment, Paul says in our reading for today.

Peace by prayer

Protected by thinking on Jesus

Provided by contentment

Let us see what God has to teach us about the true, all-encompassing peace that He offers us so freely. We will start today with a short study of Contentment. (Tomorrow we will see the teaching of ICTC.)

 

The dictionary defines contentment as “being satisfied.” The Greek word Paul uses literally means “self-satisfied.”

 

Does that sound like the world’s method? The world’s idea of peace is tied to material goods – to striving for more. Advertising is based on our dissatisfaction. This goes from Townhouses to Toothpaste. Clothes to Cereal. They strive to find areas that we hold in dissatisfaction and then play to it. What are the areas?

·      Prestige

·      Power

·      Status

·      Friendship – Love

 

Because man is basically dissatisfied with his lot in life – Madison Avenue is getting rich. According to AdAge.com – the total dollars spent on advertising in the US during 2002 was $236,875 million.

 

All because Americans are dissatisfied.

 

A nation with one of the highest levels of lifestyles – is also one of the most dissatisfied.

 

Paul speaks of contentment as being a part of our Christian life. He warns often about this. Consider what he said to his neophyte preacher-boy, Timothy –

1 Timothy 6: 6-10 – “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

 

Notice the Bible does not teach that money is the problem, rather it is the attitude toward money.

 

Verse 7 in the letter to Timothy above (bolded)  stresses the issue about materialism. It makes me think about the story of a rich millionaire who had died. When the Doctor and Lawyer came out, the heirs asked, “How much did he leave?” They answered them, “He left it all, he couldn’t take anything with him.”

 

God encourages us to be content with our lot in life.

·      First, this shows our faith and trust in a loving Father

·      Second, this gives us the inner peace and assurance we so desperately seek.

 

God does not expect us to be lazy, we should always the best that we can in every situation. But, we need to develop contentment with where we are. Tomorrow, when we unpack ITCT – we will see how we can, like Paul acquire contentment.